Forest Bathing: Words of Wisdom from Joseph Cornell

“Between a human and a tree is the breath. We are each other’s air.” —Margaret Bates

As a starry-eyed environmental education student in the early 90’s, I was introduced to myriad practitioners and thought leaders on ways to effectively bring children closer to nature. They were all inspiring, but some 20 years later the one who I still think about as a true master of fostering connection between humans and our awareness of what’s around us, is Joseph Cornell. Author of Sharing Nature with Children, Joseph has expanded his teaching to include anyone from any place and of any age, with his organization Sharing Nature Worldwide.

This September we are blessed to offer a two day Sharing Nature training here at Shadowcliff, and I hope you will attend. The following piece is a guest post by Joseph about forest bathing, a traditional Japanese practice and something you can achieve quite naturally and without much effort while at Shadowcliff if you so desire.

-Forward by Hillary Mizia

The Healing Power of Trees

Did you know that trees are among the world’s greatest healers? Forest Bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is the Japanese practice of going to the forest to receive mental and physical healing.

Forest plants emit essential wood oils and airborne chemicals to protect themselves from insects and decay. Research has shown that forest aromas benefit humans as well.

Studies from Japan, Finland, the United States and other countries have shown that forest bathing can greatly reduce stress, increase joy level, lower blood pressure, improve concentration, strengthen the immune system, builds up vitality, and has powerful anti-cancer benefits.

All cultures recognize that trees uplift the human spirit. To ancient people, trees were channels for the gods, and forests were humankind’s first temples and sanctuaries.

Trees, living high in the sky, receive 95 percent of their sustenance from the atmosphere. Drawing nourishment from the sun and sky, trees express a divine benevolence. Buddhist scriptures speak of the unlimited kindness of trees—how they give generously, and offer protection and shelter to all beings.

Forest bathing allows us to immerse ourselves in the benevolent and healing power of trees. All plants have phytoncides—active substances with antimicrobial properties that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, microscopic fungi and protozoa. Some trees release into the atmosphere volatile phytoncides that are capable of producing an effect at a distance.

Forest Bathing for Better Health

Studies have shown that the air in coniferous forests, and particularly in young pine forests, is particularly sterile and free of harmful microflora.

In 1982, the director of the Japanese Forest Agency hypothesized that “bathing” in a phytoncide-rich environment would promote better health. He proposed the idea of forest bathing for relaxing the mind and for stress management.

In 2004, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries initiated scientific studies to prove the therapeutic effects forests have on human health. These studies showed positive results for numerous areas of physical health. Since then, other studies conducted in the U.S. and Europe have found the same results.

In Japan today there are 42 approved Forest Therapy Bases offering mental and physical healing. At some sites, forest therapy patients stay for two nights, during which they receive a medical checkup upon arrival, spend their free time walking in the woods and have a final checkup before leaving. Patients typically see significant improvement on their final exam. Many Japanese companies include forest therapy in their employee health-care benefits and wellness programs.